Injury crisis for Scots ahead of Faroe friendly

Scotland have been hit with an injury crisis ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly with the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie.

As many as eight of Craig Levein’s original 20-man squad could be ruled out of the match in Aberdeen after the weekend’s league fixtures.

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell limped out of the match against West Bromwich Albion and goalkeeper Matthew Gilks was withdrawn at half-time for Blackpool.

Caldwell’s fellow central defender Christophe Berra was injured in the warm-up for Wolves with Chris Burke, James Morrison, Alan Hutton, Graham Dorrans and Steven Naismith all doubtful.

Dundee United central defender Garry Kenneth and Blackpool full-back Stephen Crainey, who last featured for the national team in 2004, have already been called up and Levein may draft more in to add to his depleted squad.

Despite being forced to reshuffle his squad the Scotland manager says he is pleasantly surprised to have such strength in depth to call on for the national team.

Levein said: “Maybe I need to be a bit more mindful of the quality we have. When I first came in I thought ?This will be tough. We need to batten down the hatches and lock the back door.’

“Now I realise there are maybe more quality players than I thought. I look down the list I can pick from and see a lot of Premiership players.

“And there are guys who have become almost first choices. Charlie Adam has pushed to the forefront of my mind after his second-half performance against Spain.

“Phil Bardsley is playing every week for Sunderland while James Morrison of West Brom has pushed his way in.

“Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith of Rangers are also in there and it looks like a different group now.”

The match against the Faroe Islands will be an opportunity for a morale boosting win for Scotland after losing their previous two European qualifying matches to the Czech Republic and Spain in October.

It is also a chance for Levein to run his eye over fringe players with Dundee United striker David Goodwillie, Aston Villa’s Barry Bannan and Liverpool’s Danny Wilson have been called up for the first time and could feature against the European minnows.

Hearts striker Kevin Kyle is also included and there could be a starting role for English Championship top scorer James Mackie of Queen’s Park Rangers.

Craig Gordon should take his place back in goal for the match with Levein opting to leave out Allan McGregor due to a heavy schedule of domestic and European appearances for his club side Rangers.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will captain the Scots and Derby’s Kris Commons should also feature.

Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley will join up with the squad straight from his side’s 3-0 win over English champions Chelsea.

One of the most embarrassing results in Scotland’s history came against the Faroe Islands when they scrapped a 2-2 draw away from home in a 2002 European Championship qualifier against a side mainly made up of part-time players.